Pop legend George Michael may have brought the hits throughout the 80’s and 90’s, but he also helped inspire “Carpool Karaoke,” the viral staple we’ve grown to love by comedian James Corden.
TODAY shared on Monday (Dec. 26) other ways the late singer affected pop culture outside of his music. The singer helped introduce the segment to the masses when the two performed his Wham! hits, “Freedom” and “I’m Your Man” during BBC’s Comic Relief Special in 2011. Corden went on to tease the segment again in his 2014 documentary When Corden Met Barlow and officially on “The Late Late Show” with Mariah Carey last year.
Corden paid his respects to the singer on Twitter Sunday.
I've loved George Michael for as long as I can remember. He was an absolute inspiration. Always ahead of his time.
— James Corden (@JKCorden) December 25, 2016
George Michael wrote Praying for Time 25 years ago but I truly believe it's message means more now than ever. https://t.co/f03zlWYbLa
— James Corden (@JKCorden) December 25, 2016
Michael passed away on Christmas Day (Dec. 25). His manager Michael Lippman told The Hollywood Reporter the cause of death was heart failure. “I’m devastated,” he said. He also explained the singer was found in bed lying peacefully and that there was “no foul play whatsoever.”
The singer sold over 115 million records around the world and spawned the hits, “Faith,” “Careless Whisper” as well as the iconic supermodel-filled video for “Freedom 90.” He also contributed to the world of R&B with “I Knew You Were Waiting,” his Grammy-winning single with Aretha Franklin in 1987. The late Whitney Houston also worked with Michael in 2000 by revamping her previous single, “If I Told You That” from her Greatest Hits album.
Check out his appearance with Corden below.